Each child who registers this season will be asked to solicit sponsors for four bears. With more than 500 kids in the program this year, they expect to donate at least 2,000 bears to children, Colombo said.

The Braves are working with five area hospitals: Cooper University Hospital in Camden, Underwood-Memorial Hospital in Woodbury, Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Washington Township, Virtua Health and South Jersey Health System.

Through New Jersey Operation: Military Kids, the Braves will also be able to distribute the "Brave Bears" to the 122 children in the state whose parents are deployed through the armed services.

"They will have to ask four people to help them help other children. It's kind of like sponsoring a child," Colombo said.

Spokeswoman for Kennedy Hospital, Althea Miley said the bears will be a comfort for the children recovering from surgeries at the hospital.

"It makes them understand that someone cares about them," Miley said. "It provides some diversion from whatever pain or surgery that causes them to be here."

The kids will ask for $25 donations per bear. Once the Braves recoup the costs of the bears, the proceeds will go to helping the Braves build their own clubhouse.

Colombo said they will order the bears in August and deliver them to the children in early September.